The Lake County Judicial Nominating Commission is beginning the process of selecting a new Superior Court judge. A vacancy on the Lake Superior Court will occur in February 2019. Judge Diane Kavadias Schneider plans to retire from Superior Court, Civil Division 7. Judge Bruce Parent will transfer to the position from Superior Court, Civil Division 4. Thus, the vacancy will be in the Civil Division, Room 4. Commission Chairperson and Indiana Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Slaughter announced applications for the position are available online at courts.in.gov/5470.htm and must be submitted through the Indiana Courts Portal by Monday, January 7, 2019,

On December 29th, at approximately 9:00 a.m., a single vehicle crash occurred on I-65 at the 253 mile marker. This is near the exit to U.S. 30. As a result of the crash, a white Husky ran from the vehicle. The dog was last seen running near the Crown Point exit. The owners of the dog had posted on Facebook that their dog was lost and the approximate location where she was last seen. This morning at approximately 9:00 a.m., approximately 24 hours after the dog had been lost, a Facebook user spotted the dog walking along I-65 near the

NIPSCO and contracted crews from Kent Powers will be replacing static wire on existing  electrical lattice towers located on the top most position of the towers with new Optical  Ground Wire (OPGW). A small low-flying helicopter will be used to replace and string new wires, which will help shield the electrical conductors from lightning  while providing a telecommunications path for internal communications. This project is part of NIPSCO’s on-going modernization plan to upgrade its infrastructure system in northern Indiana. The project is expected to last one month, beginning work in the  near W 700 N and N 175 W and

On December 28, 2018 at approximately 10:30 p.m., Trooper William Carlson responded to a single vehicle crash that occurred on the ramp from I-80 eastbound to southbound Ripley St.  The 2003 Nissan passenger car was being driven by Mr. Joan Miyares (37) of Chicago, IL.  Open containers of alcoholic beverages were found throughout the vehicle.  Mr. Miyares was later transported from the scene of the crash to St. Mary’s Hospital in Hobart, Indiana. The ramp was closed for approximately 45 minutes for investigation and clean up. Further investigation at the hospital led Troopers to believe Mr. Miyares was intoxicated at

Regarding new years, Nobel Prize winning poet T.S. Eliot was quoted saying, “To make an end is to make a beginning.” Purdue University Northwest (PNW) entered 2018 and wrote an exciting chapter in its history, filled with several firsts, shattered records and new beginnings. In years to come, 2018 will be remembered as a momentous one for PNW. Here are some highlights of 2018 at PNW. Purdue Northwest grew to three destinations through the $12 million gift by the Gabis family of the former Taltree Arboretum & Gardens near Valparaiso. The site is now the Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest

La Porte County Sheriff’s Office made a statement this past Friday, that it was the last working day for emergency vehicle technician, Dave Chapell. Dave is retiring from their garage after 32 years of service to the Sheriff’s Office and La Porte County Government. Over the course of Dave’s career, the number of vehicles that their mechanics maintain has grown exponentially. Not only do they service the Sheriff’s Office 79 vehicles, but also 16 EMS ambulances and support vehicles as well as 44 other County Government vehicles.

Kroger has recalled several shrimp products for Michigan stores. The recall affects Kroger stores located in ,Central and Northwest Ohio; Northwestern Virginia panhandle, Michigan, KingSoopers, Frys, and Smiths. Full details can be found on Kroger’s website.

The Indiana Sports Corp is touting the growth of its Inspiring Sports initiatives in 2018. The organization says it administered 12 different programs this year, which impacted and provided opportunities for more than 70,000 young people throughout the state.The Inspiring Sports Equipment for Kids Gear Distribution effort, in its 11th year in 2018, provided 20,000 pieces of new sports gear to more than 100 organizations, which Indiana Sports Corp says will benefit more than 50,000 youth. The organization also partnered with the Big Ten Conference on youth initiatives such as the Middle School Curriculum Program, Girls Basketball Clinic and Youth

In a statement made by Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill this past Friday, Wells Fargo Bank N.A. will pay $575 million to resolve claims that the bank violated state consumer protection laws. As part of a settlement involving all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Indiana will receive $5.2 million. As part of the settlement, Wells Fargo will also create a consumer redress review program through which consumers who have not been made whole through other restitution programs already in place can seek review of their inquiry or complaint by a bank escalation team for possible relief. As part

The new Franciscan Health Michigan City hospital is schedule to open Saturday, January 12th.This is also the date the ER will move from the current hospital on Homer Street to the new hospital along Interstate 94.At 6 a.m. on January 12 the Franciscan Health Michigan City ER opens at 3500 Franciscan Way at the corner of U.S. 421 and I-94. Also at this time, the existing ER will no longer be open at the Homer Street hospitalVisitors can reach the new hospital from US 421 by turning west on 400 North to Franciscan Way and turning left.

The Indiana State Police is investigating a crash involving a pedestrian that occurred on Tuesday just before 7:30 PM.  The crash occurred on Interstate 80 between Calumet Avenue and Indianapolis Boulevard. A Chevrolet HHR, being driven by a 58 year old woman from Chicago, struck 44 year old Freeman Pace of West Lafayette, IN, who had been walking in the roadway.  Investigation by Trooper Corey Adam found that the crash stemmed from a domestic incident that occurred on Interstate 80 shortly before the crash.  The occupants of a vehicle, husband and wife, traveling westbound stopped on the outside shoulder and

The Indiana Department of Insurance announced the surcharge rates for the Patient’s Compensation Fund (PCF) will decrease for 2019-2020. The new rates will be effective on July 1, 2019. The surcharge rates for physicians will decrease by 10.9 percent and rates for hospitals will decrease by 12.3 percent, which will result in an approximate $20 million dollar savings overall. This is the first decrease in surcharge rates since 2012. An official Bulletin, Bulletin 247, has been posted on the Department's website. The PCF is a dedicated fund administered by the Indiana Department of Insurance. It was created in 1975 by

Thanks to a grassroots fundraising effort by dedicated alumni and community supporters, Michigan City High School announced that its beloved mascot, Wolfie, will once again howl proudly in the Wolves Den gymnasium and other venues. The new and improved Wolfie will make his debut during halftime of the varsity Boys Basketball game on Friday, January 11, as the Wolves take on the Valparaiso Vikings at home. Tip-off for the game is at 7:00p.m. The identity of the performer inside the mascot suit is a closely guarded secret. However, the individual is rumored to be a student-athlete at MCHS. Wolfie has

Folks are invited to bring their “brown bag” lunch or snack and learn a little about gardening during four sessions presented by La Porte County Master Gardeners. Four sessions, two each in La Porte and Michigan City, will focus on aspects of gardening from attracting wildlife to gardening with kids. The next session is Wednesday, Jan. 16, from noon to 1:00 p.m., at Local Food, La Porte County Extension Office, 2857 W. State Road 2, La Porte, IN. The fee is just $5 for each session, which includes informational handouts, or $15 for all four sessions. No need to pre-register.

Representing Indiana Toll Road’s commitment to the Northern Indiana community, the ITR Concession Company LLC (ITRCC) has increased its support of local Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” Program and food pantry organizations. ITRCC employees collected over 800 cans of food during its Annual Internal Food Drive, which ran from Thursday, September 14, - Thursday, December 14. Cans were collected at numerous locations along the Indiana Toll Road. Those items were donated to Project Help (Angola, Indiana) and Brisol Food Pantry (Bristol, Indiana). As part of ITRCC’s partnership with the Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” Program, ITRCC employees also donated over

The Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 3rd Annual “Fish-On Portage” a fishing and outdoor show. This year the show will be located at Woodland Park, in Portage, IN. The move will allow all outdoor events to be showcased including: hunting, fishing, snow shoeing, archery, kayaking, hiking, bird watching, and more. Tickets are six dollars for adults, six for seniors, 2 dollars for ages 7 to 18 and children 6 and under are free. Parking is free. The Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting vendors representing these activities or other activities involving the outdoors. The Outdoor show

Michigan City Police officers were dispatched to the area of Grace and Walker Streets for a single vehicle crash on December 25th, just after 10PM.  A preliminary investigation revealed a Mercedes was traveling southbound on Grace Street from Walker Street. The vehicle crossed the South Shore Railroad tracks before leaving the roadway and making impact with a tree at the intersection of Grace and Holliday Streets. The Mercedes sustained severe front-end damage and both air front bags were deployed.The driver was identified as 65-year-old Michigan City resident Melvin Adams.  Adams was transported to Franciscan Health Michigan City by LaPorte County

Wednesday morning, an Indiana State Trooper escaped a serious single-vehicle rollover crash with minor injuries after crashing on the Indiana Toll Road. Indiana State Police Dispatch began to receive calls just before 8 a.m., of a single-vehicle rollover crash involving an Indiana State Police car on the Indiana Toll Road, approximately a half mile east of the Notre Dame exit.Preliminary investigation by Senior Trooper Lou Ruiz indicates that Master Trooper Bradley Kaizer, a 31-year veteran of the Indiana State Police, was traveling westbound in his fully marked Dodge Charger attempting to catch up to a traffic violator when he lost

INBiz, the state of Indiana’s one-stop business portal, launched in 2016 allowing Hoosier businesses to connect with numerous state government offices on one website. The one-stop concept has helped businesses stay in compliance with state law by putting numerous reporting requirements on one website. This year, the Attorney General’s unclaimed property reporting requirement joined INBiz. As a result, they collected nearly an additional $40 million because more business owners were aware of the filing requirement. INBiz has teamed up with the Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to provide Hoosier entrepreneurs and small business owners with business development advice as

Wagging tails and the occasional bark punctuated Franciscan Health’s third annual Pet Therapy Recognition Luncheon on Dec. 17 at Franciscan Health Crown Point’s Marian Education Center.With 24 people and 14 dogs in attendance, the event has grown from its first year when the pet therapy program began with six dogs. Today, 29 dogs are participating in the program with an additional four completing their training to join next year. Dogs must be certified by Therapy Dogs International or Alliance of Therapy Dogs to participate.The therapy dog program is currently at Franciscan Health Crown Point and Michigan City and will expand